Program Details

Mosquito Program

Last year, there were several sites around the county that were monitored with different types of light traps (CDC light trap and the BG Sentinel trap) and the collection of those mosquitoes were identified by genus and species and the number of those were recorded. This practice will continue for the 2016 summer season (typically May through October) and may be expanded if funding allows. If there is any lead from the NC State Lab regarding testing venues or protocol for such, CHA will be following up on those opportunities.

As for now, Aedes is a genus that is prevalent in our area. Aedes albopictus is easily controlled by finding the breeding source and dumping out the water. This type of mosquito does not fly far from where it breeds and is easily identified. These mosquitoes are black with a silver racing stripe down the top of it's back (thorax) and has silver stripes on the legs. It is a day time biter and is not particular about where it takes a blood meal. If people are experiencing these particular mosquitoes then the breeding sources is most likely on their property or on the adjacent property, it will not be far from where they are being observed.
Mosquito's breeding cycle takes about a week to two weeks to go from an egg to a flying adult. Therefore all standing water should be dumped out on a weekly basis. Common places where Ae. albopictus are found include rimless tires, old tarps, children's outdoor toys, plant basins, ponds without fish, the black gutter extenders that are not sloped to drain, garden decorations and bird baths.

As with Chikungunya, Zika has a vector species of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Aedes aegypti was found in 2013here is Cabarrus county but it was only a single mosquito and it has not been collected again after that. Efforts are in place to trap at areas where Ae. aegypti will most likely be found again.

With limited funding, resources are scarce but education and information are not.
There are currently 26 different mosquito species that have been collected in Cabarrus county.

Cabarrus Health Alliance Environmental Health performs mosquito control activities in all areas of Cabarrus county including the incorporated city limits of all municipalities within the county.